Primary versus revision total shoulder arthroplasty: comparing relative value and reimbursement trends

Background: Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for multiple shoulder pathologies. The purpose of our study was to compare the relative value units (RVUs) per minute of surgical time for primary and revision TSA.Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify patients that underwent primary TSA, one-component revision TSA, and two-component revision TSA between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017 using current procedure terminology codes. RVUs were divided by mean operative time for each procedure to determine the amount of revenue generated per minute. Rates were compared between the groups using a one-way analysis of variance with post-hoc Tukey test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.Results: When dividing compensation by surgical time, we found that two-component revision generated more compensation per minute compared to primary TSA (0.284±0.114 vs. 0.239±0.278 RVU per minute or $10.25±$4.11 vs. $8.64±$10.05 per minute, respectively; p=0.001). Conclusions: The relative value of revision TSA procedures is weighted to account for the increased technical challenges and time associated with these procedures. This study confirms that reimbursement is higher for revision TSA compared to primary TSA.

Problems, complications, and reinterventions in 4893 onlay humeral lateralized reverse shoulder arthroplasties, a systematic review: part II—problems and reinterventions

Background Several modifications to the original Grammont reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) design have been proposed to prevent distinctive issues, such as both glenoid and humeral lateralization. The aim of this systematic review was to determine rates of problems, complications, reoperations, and revisions after onlay lateralized humeral stem RSA, hypothesizing that these are design related. Methods This systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement guidelines. A literature search was conducted (1 January 2000 to 14 April 2020) using PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, Scopus, and Google Scholar, employing several combinations of keywords: “reverse shoulder arthroplasty,” “reverse shoulder prosthesis,” “inverse shoulder arthroplasty,” “inverse shoulder prosthesis,” “problems,” “complications,” “results,” “outcomes,” “reoperation,” and “revision.” Results Thirty-one studies with 4893 RSA met inclusion criteria. The 892 postoperative problems and 296 postoperative complications represented overall problem and complication rates of 22.7% and 7.5%, respectively. Forty-one reoperations and 63 revisions resulted, with overall reoperation and revision rates of 1.7% and 2.6%, respectively. Conclusions Problem, complication, and reintervention rates proved acceptable when implanting a high humeral lateralization stem RSA. The most frequent problem was scapular notching (12.6%), and the most common postoperative complication was scapular stress fracture (1.8%). An overall humeral complication rate of 1.9% was identified, whereas no humeral fractures or stem loosening were reported with short stems. Infections (1.3%) were the most common reason for component revision, followed by instability (0.8%). Level of evidence Systematic review IV.

Debridement, antibiotics, irrigation, and retention of the prosthesis with antibiotic-impregnated calcium hydroxyapatite in periprosthetic hip joint infection

Background We have developed antibiotic-impregnated calcium hydroxyapatite (CHA) as a novel antibiotic delivery system. Here, we assessed the clinical results of debridement, antibiotics, irrigation, and retention of the prosthesis (DAIR) with antibiotic-impregnated CHA for the treatment of prosthetic joint-associated infection (PJI) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Twelve patients (13 hips) treated with DAIR for PJI after THA at our institution between 1997 and 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The study group included four men (five hips) and eight women, with an average age of 66.1 (range, 56–90) years. Four patients (five hips) had symptoms of infection within less than 3 weeks; however, eight patients had symptoms of infection over 3 weeks. All patients received DAIR with antibiotic-impregnated CHA in the surrounding bone. In one patient, the cup component revision was performed with one-stage re-implantation because of loosening, but the stem component was retained. In nine patients (10 hips), vancomycin hydrochloride was impregnated in the CHA. Results The average duration of follow-up was 8.3 (range, 2.9–18.6) years. No patients were lost to follow-up. Four patients included in this study died of other causes, with an average follow-up of 6.7 (range, 4.0–12.5) years. Intra-operative cultures were positive in 12 hips. Ten of 12 patients (11 of 13 hips) were successfully treated, and no signs of infection were observed at the latest follow-up. In two of 12 patients (two of 13 hips) for whom treatment failed, infection was successfully treated with two-stage re-implantation. Both patients had diabetes mellitus and symptoms of infection over 3 weeks. Eighty-five percent of patients were successfully treated by DAIR with antibiotic-impregnated CHA. No complications were observed with this antibiotic-impregnated CHA. Conclusions DAIR treatment with antibiotic-impregnated CHA produce a higher rate of success in patients with PJI after THA.

Tobacco Use Is Associated with More Severe Adverse Outcomes Than Morbid Obesity after Aseptic Revision TKA

The association of morbid obesity with increased revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) complications is potentially confounded by concurrent risk factors. This study was performed to evaluate whether morbid obesity was more strongly associated with adverse aseptic rTKA outcomes than diabetes or tobacco use history—when present as a solitary major risk factor. Demographic characteristics, surgical indications, and adverse outcomes (reoperation, revision, infection, and amputation) were compared between 270 index aseptic rTKA performed for patients with morbid obesity (n = 73), diabetes (n = 72), or tobacco use (n = 125) and 239 “healthy” controls without these risk factors at a mean 75.7 (range: 24–111) months. There was no difference in 2-year reoperation rate (17.8 vs. 17.6%, p = 1.0) or component revision rate (8.2 vs. 8.4%) between morbidly obese and healthy patients. However, higher reoperation rates were noted in patients with diabetes (p = 0.02) and tobacco use history (p < 0.01), including higher infection (p < 0.05) and above knee amputation (p < 0.01) rates in patients with tobacco use history. Multivariate analysis retained an independent association between smoking history and amputation risk (odds ratio: 7.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.7–55.2, p < 0.01). Morbid obesity was not associated with an increased risk of reoperation or component revision compared with healthy patients undergoing aseptic revision. Tobacco use was associated with increased reoperation and above knee amputation. Additional study will be beneficial to determine whether risk reduction efforts are effective in mitigating postoperative complication risks.

Cement-in-cement femoral component revision

Aims Cement-in-cement revision of the femoral component represents a widely practised technique for a variety of indications in revision total hip arthroplasty. In this study, we compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of two polished tapered femoral components. Methods From our prospectively collated database, we identified all patients undergoing cement-in-cement revision from January 2005 to January 2013 who had a minimum of two years' follow-up. All cases were performed by the senior author using either an Exeter short revision stem or the C-Stem AMT high offset No. 1 prosthesis. Patients were followed-up annually with clinical and radiological assessment. Results A total of 97 patients matched the inclusion criteria (50 Exeter and 47 C-Stem AMT components). There were no significant differences between the patient demographic data in either group. Mean follow-up was 9.7 years. A significant improvement in Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 12-item Short-Form Survey (SF-12) scores was observed in both cohorts. Leg lengths were significantly shorter in the Exeter group, with a mean of -4 mm in this cohort compared with 0 mm in the C-Stem AMT group. One patient in the Exeter group had early evidence of radiological loosening. In total, 16 patients (15%) underwent further revision of the femoral component (seven in the C-Stem AMT group and nine in the Exeter group). No femoral components were revised for aseptic loosening. There were two cases of femoral component fracture in the Exeter group. Conclusion Our series shows promising mid-term outcomes for the cement-in-cement revision technique using either the Exeter or C-Stem AMT components. These results demonstrate that cement-in-cement revision using a double or triple taper-slip design is a safe and reliable technique when used for the correct indications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7):1215–1221.

Mid- to long-term outcomes of contemporary total knee arthroplasty in Charcot neuroarthropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective procedure to treat many patients with end-stage knee arthropathy. However, the extension of TKA for patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy (CNA) is controversial, with relatively limited evidence defining optimal reconstruction techniques. This systematic review of relevant studies that were published from January 2000 to June 2020 aimed to define survivorship, complications, reoperation, and component revision rates of contemporary TKA performed for CNA. We identified 127 TKA performed for CNA in five studies that comprised ≥ 7 knees with ≥ 5 years of follow-up. Overall implant survivorship was 85.4%. The overall complication rate was 26.4%, with the most common complications including instability (24.0%), periprosthetic fracture (17.4%), infection (13.0%), ligament injury (10.9%) and aseptic loosening (10.9%). The aetiology of CNA and prosthesis type had no influence on clinical outcomes, whereas the effect of staging of disease and ataxia status was still inconclusive. Understanding the potential determinants, survivorship and risk of complications related to TKA performed in CNA may help surgeons to deal with patient expectations. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:556-564. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200103

Intermediate-Term Outcomes of a Third-Generation, 2-Component Total Ankle Prosthesis

Background: Short-term outcomes for the INBONE I and INBONE II tibial stems have been favorable. The INBONE-II talus has been shown to have lower reoperation and failure rates compared to its predecessor at short term follow-up. The purpose of the present study was to assess mid-term outcomes for the third generation, two component total ankle prosthesis at 5 to 9 years follow-up, evaluating both the tibial and talar components. Methods: All patients who underwent primary total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) with INBONE-II between July 2010 and July 2014 at a single institution and who were at least 5 years postoperative were included. A total of 15 ankles with a mean follow-up of 85 months (range, 61-113 months) met the criteria. Radiographs were assessed using coronal and sagittal alignment parameters preoperatively, at 6 weeks postoperatively, and at the most recent follow-up. Medical records were reviewed and revisions, reoperations, and complications were classified according to the criteria established by Vander Griend et al and Glazebrook et al, respectively. Results: The survivorship of the prosthesis at a mean of 85 months was 93.7%. The coronal and sagittal tibiotalar alignments 6 weeks after surgery were 2.1 degrees ( P = .081) and 36% ( P = .15), respectively. Maintenance of this alignment was observed during the latest follow-up ( P = .684 and P = .837, respectively). One ankle (6.7%) required early component revision, while 4 (26.7%) required a non–implant-related revision. Six complications (2 high grade, 1 intermediate, and 3 low) in 5 ankles (33.3%) were recorded according to the Glazebrook classification system. Conclusion: The present study is the first to report midterm follow-up after TAA with this third-generation, 2-component prothesis. High survivorship, maintenance of correction, and a low incidence of major complications were observed in this small case series. The most common complication overall was lateral gutter impingement, which accounted for the majority of the nonrevisional reoperations. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.